For a very long time, Anupam Kher who was one of Yash Chopra’s closest friends and has done the maximum number of films for Yash Raj Films, felt he was not getting the right roles from the banner.
According to a source close to both the Chopras and Anupam, the actor had a heart-to-heart talk with Aditya on this matter.
Says the source, “Anupam is a very straight forward person. He speaks straight from the heart. For a very long time he felt Yash Raj which he considers his home banner was not giving him the kind of roles that he expected from them. Even when there was a good meaty part for a senior actor, like the one Rishi Kapoor played Shudh Desi Romance, Adi went to other actors. That really hurt Anupam. He always treated Yash Raj as a home banner.”
After the brief role that he did in Aurangzeb, Anupam had a heart-to-heart with Aditya Chopra.
Says the source, “Anupam very clearly told Adi that Yash Raj was ghar ki baat for him. But he’d want to be asked to do another film with them only if he has something significant to offer.”
Aditya Chopra has kept his word. In Habib Faisal’s Daawat-E-Ishq, he has given Anupam one of the central characters to play.
Ecstatic and ecstatic Anupam says, “I’ve done 8-9 films with Yash Raj. And I shared a fabulous rapport with Yashji. I used to drop in unannounced almost every morning to have tea with him. With Adi too my rapport is amazing. I know he will give my talent the space and respect it deserves.”
Anupam can’t stop raving about his role in Daawat-E-Ishq. “There are three protagonists played by Parineeti, Aditya Roy Kapur and me. Habib has written an incredible story.”
Though Anupam is not willing to say any more, one can divulge that the film is a father-daughter story with Aditya playing the guy Parineeti brings home to papa Anupam for lunch.
Aditya Chopra keeps his promise to Anupam Kher
Subhash K. Jha
